Prosocial Behavior in Adolescence: Gender Differences in Development and Links with Empathy

Although adolescents’ prosocial behavior is related to various positive outcomes, longitudinal research on its development and predictors is still sparse. This 6-wave longitudinal study investigated the development of prosocial behavior across adolescence, and examined longitudinal associations with perspective taking and empathic concern. Participants were 497 adolescents (M age t1 = 13.03 years, 43% girls) who reported on their prosocial behaviors, empathic concern, and perspective taking. The results revealed marked gender differences in the development of prosocial behavior. For boys, levels of prosocial behavior were stable until age 14, followed by an increase until age 17, and a slight decrease…

• UU
  Universiteit Utrecht
• VU
  Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
• NO
  Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek

  Awards: GB-MAGW 480-03-005, 480-03-005
• A
  Achmea